Well well, 2010 breezed by so quickly. It's amazing. In a twinkling of an eye, its already the eve of 2010.
Looking forward, I'm going to set some goals for this coming year.
Spiritual
-plan more YA outreaches
-do visitation once a week
-disciples
-read 4 books
Health
-exercise 3 times a week(swim/run/gym/badminton)
-no snacks and soft drinks
-eat more fruits
Finance
-save 15% of income
-use only 1 credit card
Relationships
-visit family 4 times a month
Career
-finish tasks ahead of time
-go for courses
2011 here I come!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Building your barn
It's important to have savings in life. Especially when you are expecting big expenses in the near future, eg. house renovations, money for higher learning, etc.
The rule of thumb is that you should be saving at least 10% of your monthly income, but for some of us out there, you might not be saving fast enough to meet your target, eg. your house renovation is expected to start in 2012, but you only have 2 years to save.
Therefore, you might try to increase your savings to 15% or 20% depending on your lifestyle and discipline. I guess a lot of factors affect the aggressiveness in which we save.
1)LIFESTYLE
Depending on your character, you might be a spendthrift, spender, madman when it comes to money. I'm currently logging every single expenditure I've made for the month of September. It gives a clear picture of where the bulk of your money goes, and if possible, ways to cut down on spending.
Some of us have cars, some have education loans to repay, some have one credit card, some have many credit cards, some like to shop everyday, some like to pay expensive stuff, all these affect your savings.
2)DISCIPLINE
This word keeps popping up recently in my mind, someone once told me that discipline determines destiny. (details also but thats another story). I can say that I think very carefully before spending money. Especially purchases above $50. Even during shopping in the supermarket, I try to buy value for money stuff. Recenly I thought of getting a key pouch to keep my keys cause the number of my keys grew and the keys keep poking me. I had in mind a buffel keypouch but when I saw the price $50 i decided against it. Cause to me, my keyring does the job. Who cares about a few pokes?
Some of us have a heavy lifestyle, like hospital loans and family bills to pay, but they are discplined, they don't go on holidays, they don't buy big purchase items randomly. They will have savings.
Some of us have a light lifestyle, no bills to pay, nothing, but they are ill-disciplined. They buy presents for the whole world, they take cab wherever they go, they just buy buy buy. They will not have savings.
The people who save best are people who have a light lifestyle and are very disciplined.
I'm all for enjoying and pampering yourself once in a while, but my personal conviction is, i know i have something i need to pay for in the next 1-2 years, rather than borrowing money or taking a loan, I'd rather save up and pay for it cash.
The rule of thumb is that you should be saving at least 10% of your monthly income, but for some of us out there, you might not be saving fast enough to meet your target, eg. your house renovation is expected to start in 2012, but you only have 2 years to save.
Therefore, you might try to increase your savings to 15% or 20% depending on your lifestyle and discipline. I guess a lot of factors affect the aggressiveness in which we save.
1)LIFESTYLE
Depending on your character, you might be a spendthrift, spender, madman when it comes to money. I'm currently logging every single expenditure I've made for the month of September. It gives a clear picture of where the bulk of your money goes, and if possible, ways to cut down on spending.
Some of us have cars, some have education loans to repay, some have one credit card, some have many credit cards, some like to shop everyday, some like to pay expensive stuff, all these affect your savings.
2)DISCIPLINE
This word keeps popping up recently in my mind, someone once told me that discipline determines destiny. (details also but thats another story). I can say that I think very carefully before spending money. Especially purchases above $50. Even during shopping in the supermarket, I try to buy value for money stuff. Recenly I thought of getting a key pouch to keep my keys cause the number of my keys grew and the keys keep poking me. I had in mind a buffel keypouch but when I saw the price $50 i decided against it. Cause to me, my keyring does the job. Who cares about a few pokes?
Some of us have a heavy lifestyle, like hospital loans and family bills to pay, but they are discplined, they don't go on holidays, they don't buy big purchase items randomly. They will have savings.
Some of us have a light lifestyle, no bills to pay, nothing, but they are ill-disciplined. They buy presents for the whole world, they take cab wherever they go, they just buy buy buy. They will not have savings.
The people who save best are people who have a light lifestyle and are very disciplined.
I'm all for enjoying and pampering yourself once in a while, but my personal conviction is, i know i have something i need to pay for in the next 1-2 years, rather than borrowing money or taking a loan, I'd rather save up and pay for it cash.
Monday, August 2, 2010
New things
More than half the year has passed. Its already August! Looking back, this year is really a year of new things.
I got married in January. New wife.
I moved into a new home in Simei in February. New home.
I lost my phone in a cab in July. New phone (sort of... thanks nick).
I bought my first car with my wife in July. New car.
I am starting work in a new environment in August. New job.
Truly, its nice having new things. The rush and the excitement of owning something for the very first time is indescribable.
But how do you maintain something which is new? Do we lose our interest in our new things quickly? Do we then look for other new things?
I'm quite a sentimental person. My pair of Billabong berms lasted me 10 years, since JC days all the way till today. My backpack lasted me 6 years since NUS days all the way till last year. My seiko watch that i bought last august will probably last me the next 10 years. woahaha..
I believe its good to own new things, and to update ourselves. But there are some things that's worth holding on to. I quite like classic, timeless things. :)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
My family
Few things in life are more important than family. Introducing... Top row(Kelvin, my sister Lisa, my wife Joyce) Bottom row(my mom, my dad)
Another pose... I like this one better hahaha...
Treasure your family. Peace.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
I think I'm old
Just played a game of football with Ronald Yong, Edwin Ong, Adam and Rayvin last Sunday @ Kembangan.
The pitch was slightly damp after the rain. EngWee and Joyce Tham were the earliest, they and their usual gang of childrens church kakis were there.
Playing brought me back to the good of secondary school days where splattering mud was the norm on our white socks and shoes. Running Sprinting to get those long balls or doing empty overlapping runs felt really good. Apologizing for every pass that went wrong was nostalgic.
But somehow, the old body isn't what it used to be. Instead of recovering in a day, my thighs are still stiff and sore up till today(3 days). Considering i didn't try to run alot on Sunday, I cannot help but admit, I feel old.
I guess when you're older, you don't play with mindless running, but you play with your head.
I hope this is a regular affair. Can't wait for the next game.
(but let me recover first. ouch.)
The pitch was slightly damp after the rain. EngWee and Joyce Tham were the earliest, they and their usual gang of childrens church kakis were there.
Playing brought me back to the good of secondary school days where splattering mud was the norm on our white socks and shoes. Running Sprinting to get those long balls or doing empty overlapping runs felt really good. Apologizing for every pass that went wrong was nostalgic.
But somehow, the old body isn't what it used to be. Instead of recovering in a day, my thighs are still stiff and sore up till today(3 days). Considering i didn't try to run alot on Sunday, I cannot help but admit, I feel old.
I guess when you're older, you don't play with mindless running, but you play with your head.
I hope this is a regular affair. Can't wait for the next game.
(but let me recover first. ouch.)
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